New England FAMILY PHILANTHROPY Conference

Is your family’s philanthropic giving based primarily on family members’ individual interests?  Want to know how to transition to a more focused and strategic approach based on common values and interests? In this session you’ll learn how to find those common interests and bridge family differences—ideological, generational, geographic, etc.—while enhancing family cohesion, Deepening trustee engagement, and practicing more effective philanthropy. 

Telling Your Story
Rick Schwartz, Straight Talk 

A recent survey found that even the most engaged Americans, those working on community or social issues, are uninformed about the work of foundations and the impact they have on communities. Most people can’t even name a foundation. It’s imperative that foundations and funds tell their stories. Learn about ways philanthropists are using simple technologies and other tools to communicate their work to potential community partners and the public.

Donor Intent—What Would Mom or Dad Have Wanted?
Ellen Remmer, The Philanthropic Initiative

At the heart of every family philanthropy is a donor who wanted to make a difference. But how the donor or donors wanted to go about it may or may not be explicit, leaving future generations to ponder how to interpret the donor intent and how to honor it while also meeting the changing needs of the community. If you are the donor, the question is even more urgent. How and what have you communicated to your family? Learn how various families have approached the issue.

Navigating Transitions
Susan Price, National Center for Family Philanthropy

All foundations face changes as they mature. These include issues such as the death of the donor, geographic dispersion, an influx of assets, involving the next generation and decisions around perpetuity versus spending down.  Having strategies in place for dealing with them will make the journey easier.

Successful Collaborations: Joining Forces to Leverage Dollars
Gioia Perugini, Jane's Trust  

With so many pressing issues and so few dollars, funding in collaboration with others makes it possible to achieve results on a bigger scale. But successful collaborations take patience, compromise and perseverance. This session will offer models of what works and pitfalls to avoid.

Top 10 Ways Family Foundations Get Into Trouble (and How to Avoid Them!)
Andrew Schulz, Council on Foundations

Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned expert, this session touches on the most important legal questions that arise in the day to day business of running a foundation. Topics include self-dealing, compensation, conflicts of interest, grants to non-charities, tickets to fundraisers and more.

Mission Related Investing
Doug Bauer, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Tough economic times call for creative grantmaking strategies. Learn how to leverage your limited assets by using your investments to further your mission.

Healthy Boards
Mary Phillips, Grants Management Associates

Good communication and interaction is key to good governance and effective grantmaking. Yet many families with foundations or donor advised funds struggle with the inevitable relationship dynamics and different styles that exist in every family. This session will explore how to deal creatively with conflict and improve communication in the board room.

What is the Value of Family in Philanthropy?
Virginia Esposito, National Center for Family Philanthropy

The National Center for Family Philanthropy is engaged in a research project to articulate the value of family involvement in philanthropy, both for families and for society. National Center Founding President Virginia Esposito will share with session participants some key findings from a nationwide conversation that has already involved groups of philanthropists in 12 cities, and invite your own views on such questions as: what are the greatest challenges and greatest opportunities facing donor families; how will those change in the next decade; how will the views of government officials play into that future; what are your hopes for the field?

Help from Outside
Mally Cox-Chapman, Benefactory Philanthropic Advisors

Using outside resources is a cost-efficient way for foundations, small or large, to maximize their own knowledge base and that of their grantees for maximum impact. Sources of gathering best practices in a funding area include community foundations, research departments at universities, or rotating boards of advisors. You can convene a symposium on an issue and invite grantees or provide a planning grant on a new initiative. You’ll leave this session with new ideas for tapping the expertise of others.

Grantmaking in a Tough Economy
Matt Santangelo, Merrill Lynch Trust Co.

In a time of shrinking assets and rising community needs, grantmakers are employing a variety of strategies to respond to these dual challenges. Find out how your colleagues are rethinking the way they do business and share your own approaches for coping in a tough economy.